Opioid Addiction Treatment Using Buprenorphine-Naloxone In A Community-Based Internal Medicine Practice.

Background: Opioid dependency currently affects over 2.5 million patients in the United States and is increasing in incidence. Office-based opioid therapy with buprenorphine-naloxone provides greater patient access to treatment and has significantly improved therapeutic outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a study of 100 consecutive patients treated for opioid dependence with buprenorphine-naloxone in a single provider's community-based internal medicine practice. The primary outcome measures were retention in therapy, wellness, and abstinence from ongoing drug use. Data were obtained from frequent physical examinations, self-report data, and periodic urine drug screening.

Results: The retention rate in therapy was 75%. A multidimensional evaluation of wellness improved in 75% of the patients. Eighty-five percent reported no opiate relapse during therapy.

Conclusion: Office-based opioid therapy with buprenorphine-naloxone has provided greater access to therapy with improved therapeutic outcomes. Our findings support the mounting literature that more patients should be offered office-based opioid therapy for opioid dependency.